Ballew & Company has answers to "Frequently Asked Questions"


	Ballew & Company is ready to elaborate on any inquiries you might have about appraisals in Sacramento and Sacramento County. Feel free to contact us today.

What is an appraisal?
Describe what an appraiser does
What would cause me to request services from Ballew & Company?
How is an appraisal different than a home inspection?
Is an appraisal the same as a comparative market analysis(CMA)?
What's in an appraisal report?
Once the report has been delivered, what guarantee is there that the value indicated is veritable?
How hard is it to become certified?
Who do appraisers work for?
Where does an appraiser get the information used to estimate values in Sacramento County or other areas?
Why should I hire a licensed appraiser?
What exactly is PMI and how can I get rid of it?
Should I do anything in advance of the appraisal inspection
Define "Market Value"
Does the appraisal belong to the bank or the consumer?
Which home renovations add the most to the price?

What is an appraisal? (Top)

The process of performing an appraisal report deals with an estimation which forms an opinion of value. The appraiser will use a few "approaches," typically three, to arrive at the estimation of market value. The Cost Approach is one of the processes that appraisers use to find the value of a home; it involves concluding what the improvements would cost less physical depreciation, plus the land value. Another of the approaches is the Sales Comparison Approach - which deals with making a comparison to other similar properties within a close vicinity which have recently sold. Being the most commonly used approach, the Sales Comparison Approach is considered the most accurate and best indicator of market value for a property. One of the least common approaches in appraising residential properties is the Income Approach, which is commonly used to find the value of a property based on what an investor would pay based on the income produced by the property.

Describe what an appraiser does (Top)

An appraiser provides an unbiased and well justified determination of market value, often in the context of a real estate exchange. Appraisers document their expert conclusions in appraisal reports.

What would cause me to request services from Ballew & Company? (Top)

There are many reasons to get an appraisal with the usual reason being real estate and mortgage transactions. Some other reasons for ordering an appraisal report include:

To get a loan.
If you would like to lower your property tax obligations.
To show a homeowner has 30% equity and remove PMI.
To contest improperly assessed property taxes.
If you need to settle an estate.
To give you a leg-up when purchasing real estate.
To determine the most probable property value when putting your home on the market.
To ensure parties are provided just compensation in eminient domain cases.
Because a government agency such as the IRS requires it.
It's possible you could be involved in a lawsuit - an appraisal will definitely help.

If you need more information about the appraisal process, please click here.

How is an appraisal different than a home inspection? (Top)

Home inspectors do not generate an opinion of value and do not use the same forms as appraisers. An inspection is a third-party evaluation of the accessible structure and appliances of a home, from the top to the foundation. Generally, a home inspection report will discuss the amenities and the requirements of the property: air conditioning (weather permitting), electrical functions, the condition of the heating system, the plumbing; then the structural integrity of the home such as the attic, visible insulation, walls, floors, ceilings, windows, then the foundation, basement and other visible structures.

Is an appraisal the same as a comparative market analysis(CMA)? (Top)

To be blunt, it's like comparing broadband and dial-up. What the CMA relies upon are vague trends. Appraisals use comparable sales which are verifiable resources. Also, the appraisal looks at other factors like condition, location and construction costs. All a CMA does is generate a "ball park figure." Delivering a defensible and careful analysis, an appraisal will give a clear opinion of value.

The person behind the report is hands down the biggest difference between a CMA and an appraisal. A CMA is written by a real estate agent who may or may not have a true grasp of the market or valuation concepts. The appraisal is produce by a licensed, certified professional who makes a living out of valuing properties. Likewise, the agent has a vested interest in the property's selling price - their commission - whereas the appraiser is bound by a code of ethics to accept a previously agreed upon fee for assignments, regardless of their outcome.

What's in an appraisal report? (Top)

Each appraisal must demonstrate a supported estimate of value and must document the following:

Who engaged the appraiser and whose purposes the appraisal is to serve.
The intended use of the report.
The purpose of the assignment.
The type of value reported and a definition of the value reported.
The effective date of the appraisal.
Characteristics of the property that have a bearing on the value, including: location, physical attributes, legal attributes, economic factors, the property rights valued, and non-real estate items included in the valuation, such as personal property, items that are more or less permanently installed and even intangible considerations.
Any known easements, restrictions, encumbrances, leases, reservations, covenants, contracts, declarations, special assessments, ordinances, and the like.
Division of interest, such as fractional interest, physical segment and partial holding.
What was involved in the process of completing the assignment.

For a more in depth view of all that goes into an appraisal report click here: Sample Appraisal Report

Once the report has been delivered, what guarantee is there that the value indicated is veritable? (Top)

In the documentation of an appraisal, each appraiser must see to it that each of the items below are covered:

The appraisal used analysis of the data.

That major errors of omission or commission were not committed individually or collectively.

That appraisal services were rendered in a careful and conscientious fashion.

That a solid, supportable appraisal report was imparted.

To become a state licensed appraiser, there are strenuous education requirements as well as experience that must be logged. In addition, appraisers must abide by a stringent industry code of ethics and observe national standards of practice for real estate appraisal. The rules for carrying out an appraisal and communicating its results are guaranteed by enforcement of the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP).

(Top) Regulations regarding licensing and certification vary from state to state. In general, licensing and certification is most often associated with many hours of coursework, tests and practical experience. Once licensed, he/she is required to complete continuing education courses so that the license doesn't expire. To see the specific requirements for any state click here.

Who do appraisers work for? (Top)

Typically, appraisers are hired by mortgage lenders to render a value opinion on real estate involved in a loan transaction. Appraisers also provide opinions for legal settlements, tax matters and investment decisions.

Where does an appraiser get the information used to estimate values in Sacramento County or other areas? (Top)

Gathering information is one of the primary things an appraiser engages in. Data can be classified as either Specific or General. Specific data is from the home itself; Location, condition, amenities, size and other specific data are gathered by the appraiser during an inspection.

General data is collected from a many sources. Local Multiple Listing Services (MLS) provide data on recently sold homes that could be used as comparables. Tax records and other courthouse documents reveal actual sales prices in a market. Appraisers often have to report when a property is in a flood zone, and that information is retrieved from a FEMA data outlet such as a la mode's InterFlood service.

And last but not least, the appraiser assimilates general data from his or her past experience in doing assignments for other houses in the same market.

Why should I hire a licensed appraiser? (Top)

Any time the value of your home or other real property is being used to make a significant financial decision, an appraisal helps. When selling your house, an appraisal assists you in setting a price that maximizes profit and reduces time on the market. If you're buying, it makes sure you don't overpay. If you're engaged in an estate settlement or divorce, it ensures that property is divided fairly. Simply put, a house is often the single, largest financial asset anybody owns. Don't make decisions in the dark with a professional appraisal.

What exactly is PMI and how can I get rid of it? (Top)

PMI stands for Private Mortgage Insurance. PMI covers the lender in the event a borrower defaults on the loan and the market price of the property is less than the balance of the loan. You can have your PMI dropped once you've achieved 20% equity in your home through appreciation and principal payments.


	Has your real estate appreciated since you first purchased? Call Ballew & Company today at 9165540091. You may be able to get rid of your Private Mortgage Insurance payment.

Should I do anything in advance of the appraisal inspection (Top)

The first step in most appraisals is the home inspection. During this process, the appraiser will come to your home and measure it, determine the layout of the rooms inside, confirm all aspects of the home's general condition, and take several photos of your house for inclusion in the report. On the home's interior, make sure it is clutter free and that we can access things like furnaces and water heaters. In the yard, trim any bushes so we can be free to get an accurate measurement of exterior walls.

The following items, if available, will help your appraiser to provide a more accurate appraisal in a shorter period of time:

Information on the latest purchase of the property in the last three years.
Written property agreements, such as a maintenance agreement for a shared driveway.
A bill for your most recent real estate taxes which should also contain a legal description of the property.
Brag sheet that lists major home improvements and enhancements, the amount of their purchase and date of their installation (for example, the addition of central air conditioning or roof repairs) and permit confirmation (if available).
Information on "Homeowners Associations" or condominium covenants and fees.

Define "Market Value" (Top)

In real estate appraising, Market Value (as opposed to Fair Market Value) is commonly defined as:

"The most probable price (in terms of money) which a property should bring in a competitive and open market under all conditions requisite to a fair sale, the buyer and seller each acting prudently and knowledgeably, and assuming the price is not affected by undue stimulus. Implicit in this definition is the consummation of a sale as of a specified date and the passing of title from seller to buyer under conditions whereby: the buyer and seller are typically motivated; both parties are well informed or well advised, and acting in what they consider their best interests; a reasonable time is allowed for exposure in the open market; payment is made in terms of cash in United States dollars or in terms of financial arrangements comparable thereto; and the price represents the normal consideration for the property sold unaffected by special or creative financing or sales concessions granted by anyone associated with the sale."

Does the appraisal belong to the bank or the consumer? (Top)

For mortgage transactions, the lender requests the appraisal, either directly or through a third party. While the buyer pays for the report as part of the closing costs, the lender retains the right to use the report or any information contained within. The buyer is certainly entitled to a copy of the appraisal - it's usually included with all the other closing documents - but is not allowed to use the report for any other purpose without permission from the lender.

This rule doesn't apply when a home owner hires an appraiser directly. In these scenarios, the appraiser may stipulate how the appraisal can be used; for PMI removal, or estate planning or tax challenges, for example. If not stipulated otherwise, the home owner can do whatever they want with the appraisal.

Which home renovations add the most to the price? (Top)

Like all things real estate, this is dependent on a home's location. For example, if you're in a neigborhood of small to medium priced homes, a media room may not be something people in that price range want

No matter where you go, however, renovating a kitchen is almost always a safe move. According to one national survey, kitchen remodels returned an average of 88% of the investment. In other words, a $10,000 kitchen remodeling project would add approximately $8,800 to the value of the home. Bathrooms are right up there with kitchens, returning 85%. Adding bedrooms and baths can also help the value of your home (when done well) as long as your home doesn't then become an oddball for your neighborhood in terms of size.